Shop thief's crime was flushed out by cleaner at Asda in South Shields

A thief's crime was flushed out '“ after a trail of evidence was discoverered in a supermarket toilet.
Asda in Coronation Street South Shields.Asda in Coronation Street South Shields.
Asda in Coronation Street South Shields.

David English was forced to face the music after leaving packaging from a radio and a portable CD player he had earlier snatched from the shelves of Asda, in Coronation Street, South Shields, in a cubicle.

The packaging was spotted by a store cleaner who alerted a security staff.

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Staff then viewed CCTV footage and saw the 51-year-old lifting the goods from the shelves and going into the male toilets.

He was caught out when he returned to the store the following day in a bid to carry out another raid.

English, of Beach Road, South Shields, admitted the shop theft from January 7 at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Paul Doney, prosecuting, said: “CCTV was checked and showed the defendant removing two items from the shelves and take them into the male toilets.”

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Michelle Stonley, defending, said; “He has admitted the offence.

“He was out shopping and had insufficient funds to pay for the items.

“He made the decision to steal them.

Alan Rhys, chairman of the magistrates, said: “This behaviour is not acceptable.

“It leads to higher prices for everyone – including yourself.”

English was fined £80 and ordered to pay compensation of £63 to Asda, as well as prosecution costs of £85 and a £20 victim surcharge.